Publishers don’t want short story collections, so I decided to try something different. My new collection, Hearts Afire, needed a way to get out to the world. So I tried something different… video and YouTube.

Last night Prairie Lights Bookstore in Iowa City sponsored me for a talk on “The Poet’s House”, in conversation with Elizabeth Weiss.

I’m just back from two book events, one in Chicago at the Book Cellar, then on to Milwaukee at Boswell Books. Thanks to everyone who hosted and everyone who came out.

It’s me being interviewed about James Agee’s A Death in the Family. 

The McNally Jackson Virtual Book Launch video for The Poet’s House is here. If you missed it, or just want to re-live the memories, have a look.

No, Not A Poet: An Interview with Jean Thompson about “The Poet’s House” from NewCity Lit

I was honored to give the keynote address at the annual awards banquet of the Society of Midland Authors, May 10, in Chicago, and to serve as a judge in the Adult Fiction category.                        

Today brings news of the death of Larry Woiwode, best known for the 1975 novel, Beyond the Bedroom Wall.  Woiwode had been a student at the University of Illinois, as I had, taking classes from  some of the same teachers.

My novel, A Cloud in the Shape of a Girl, has three generations of women characters, and each of them has a favorite song.

I wish I could write a sex scene that was half as sexy as one of Prince’s songs. No, forget half, I’d settle for a lower percentage.